So Clothes, Yet So Far Away
Although it all comes under the one title, “Washing the Clothes”, it actually has many different tasks…
Reference: v.5 If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” (TNIV Bible)
Explore: Out of all the domestic chores I have to do I would have to say that washing the clothes is the best out of a bad bunch. Although it all comes under the one title, “Washing the Clothes”, it actually has many different tasks: sorting the clothes, washing the clothes, hanging the clothes, bringing in the clothes, folding the clothes, ironing the clothes (although this is rarely done in our house!) and then putting the clothes away. While it’s my most tolerated task, it’s no wonder that there are times when I get a little lazy with this job. I will have sorted, washed and hung the clothes, but when it comes to bringing them in, I can get a little tardy. I’ll go out to the clothesline, and while I realize that the clothes are nearly dry, I’ll be too impatient to wait any longer, so I’ll bring them in. It’s then, when I am folding the clothes, that I realize that they’re not actually dry at all, so I’ll then have to rehang them on the clotheshorse inside – adding an extra element to an already arduous task!
Application: There are times when our impatience is actually detrimental to our lives. While an extra element in my task of washing the clothes is not going to change my life forever, there are other times when my impatience can have a more lasting effect. When the Israelites were getting closer to the Promised Land there were a number of tribes who couldn’t wait any longer. They wanted to set up their city right there and then, without going any further towards the land that God had promised them. When God gives us a promise, it may take some time to be fulfilled, but we can be assured that what God has in store for us is better than anything else we can provide. Let’s not get so impatient that we miss out on the fullness of all that God has for us.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes we get impatient and there are times when we think we know what is best. Help us to wait upon You and have faith that what you have in store for us is better than we can ever imagine. Amen.
What are you waiting for?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.